Container connector

ABSTRACT

A connector cap for a reagent bottle which can be pre-attached to a fully assembled synthesis cassette allows greater control in the assembly of the cassette and simpler operation for the end user. The connector cap may be incorporated onto reagent bottle or on vials to be used with automated synthesis cassettes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is relates to the field of fluid connectors. Morespecifically, the present invention is directed to a container connectorwhich may be employed in automated chemistry systems

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radiotracer synthesis has benefited from increased reliance on automatedsynthesizers and synthesis cassettes. Synthesis cassettes may bemanufactured in a controlled environment and is shipped pre-assembled.For the end user this makes meeting GMP requirements simpler andradiotracer production more reliable than for platforms for which thecassette and reagents are supplied separately and are assembled by theend user. In this respect, minimizing the required number and complexityof connections made to the cassette prior to synthesis is desirable.

The FASTlab® system, sold by GE Healthcare of Liege, Belgium, is asynthesizer/cassette system which is able to perform multi-stepradiochemistry and on-cassette cartridge based purification. Suchprocesses may fully utilize the capacity of the FASTlab cassette andrequire additional reagent bottles to be connected thereto, especiallyfor cartridge based purification where greater volumes of solvent areneeded than can fit into the cassette casing. This has led to the use ofadditional reagent bottles that are connected to the cassette bypiercing the bottle stopper with large diameter needles. Once thebottles stoppers are pierced by the needles, the reagent is availablefor use. It is not desirable to have the stoppers pre-pierced prior toshipping of a commercial cassette since the reagent is then not confinedto the regent bottle and may contaminate the cassette or deform thebottle septum such that fluid integrity is lost. This prohibits shippinga fully assembled cassette and means that there must be some finalassembly by the end user. The needle tops and tubing connections can becolor-coded to simplify assembly by the end user but there is stillpotential for operator error which could lead to failed production. Onesuch user error could be failing to push a needle into the bottom of thereagent bottle which would make the reagent inaccessible. Also, the useof needles results in the risk of stab injuries.

There is therefore a need for a means for connecting a conduit to acontainer in a manner that allows both to be shipped in an inactivatedcondition, that is, mechanically connected without establishing fluidcommunication therebetween, so as to then be placed in an activatedcondition the conduit and the container in fluid communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the needs of the art, the present invention provides aconnector cap for a reagent bottle which can be pre-attached to either apartially-assembled or a fully-assembled synthesis cassette. This willallow greater control in the assembly of the cassette and simpleroperation for the end user. This type of reagent bottle should beparticularly suited to delivery of volumes of solvent for on-cassettecartridge-based purification of radiotracers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a containerconnector for a container having an annular neck defining a containeraperture and a pierceable septum spanning the container aperture. Thecontainer connector includes a connector cap and a septum piercing unit.The connector cap includes an annular cap body having opposed first andsecond ends and an elongate annular wall extending therebetween. Thefirst end defines a first aperture, the annular wall includes an annularinterior surface defining a cap cavity in fluid communication with thefirst aperture, and the interior surface is sized and shaped sized toengage the annular neck so that the cap can be moved from a firstposition with respect to the neck to a second position with respect tothe neck. The septum piercing unit includes an elongate unit bodyincluding longitudinally opposed transversely-extending first and secondend surfaces. The first and second end surfaces support a first cannulaextending therefrom. The first cannula and unit body define a first andsecond fluid port respectively, wherein the first cannula and unit bodyfurther defines an elongate fluid passageway extending in fluidcommunication between the first and second fluid ports. The unit body issized to span the container aperture such that the unit body is urgeableby the cap from the first position wherein the second cannula ispositioned in overlying registry with the septum, to the second positionwherein the second cannula has pierced the septum.

The reagent bottle can be pre-filled and attached to the cassette and is‘activated’ by a simple operation by the end user prior to use. Thisshould lead to fewer production failures due to incorrectly connectedreagent bottles and safer operation due to reduced usage of sharpneedles.

The connector cap may also be mated to bottles or vials providingsources of other fluids, or to a bottle or vial used for productcollection or dispensing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a bottle incorporating a containerconnector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cap and septum-piercing unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the container connector in afirst position, before ‘activation’

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the container connector in asecond position, after ‘activation’

FIG. 5 depicts an automated synthesis cassette incorporating a containerconnector of the present invention between the cassette and a reagentcontainer.

FIG. 6 depicts a support member which may be employed with a containerconnector of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a connector cap for allowing quickconnection between a conduit and a container. The present invention alsoprovides a container, such as a bottle or vial, configured to engage orincorporate the connector cap of the present invention. The connectorcap of the present invention allows:

-   i) additional reagent to be used with a fully pre-assembled    automated synthesis cassette;-   ii) simplified operation by the end user with reduced chances of    production failure;-   iii) maintaining integrity of a reagent container until ‘activation’    before use;-   iv) connection to be made without exposing the operator to sharp    needles; and-   v) other applications where connection between a container and a    fluid conduit are required, including, e.g., source vials and or    product collection vials.

The bottle body has a threaded top and a septum which keeps the reagentcontained within the cavity until ‘activation’. The septum piercing unitis pushed downwards by the action of tightening the cap. The cap has anopen top to allow access to the fittings on the septum piercing unit.The septum is pierced by the two spikes (or needles or cannulas, etc.)on the septum piercing unit. This constitutes ‘activation’. Beforeactivation the reagent is sealed with the bottle cavity. Afteractivation the reagent is accessible and may be provided through theseptum piercing unit to, e.g., a FASTlab cassette. The bottle includesdip tube which makes sealing connection with fluid cannula, or needle,of the piercing unit so as to effect deeper penetration of the fluidcannula into the bottle cavity.

Desirably, the piercing unit and the bottle cooperatively engage eachother so as to prevent rotation of the piercing unit by the rotation ofthe cap. Additionally, the dip tube may be fluted at one end to allowfor some rotational displacement of the fluid cannula, the septum beingcontemplated to assist in the fluid-tight connection between the cannulaand dip tube.

Similarly, the piercing unit provides a vent cannula which pierces theseptum to thus allow for airflow into the bottle cavity and assist inevacuation of the reagent through the fluid cannula. The bottle mayinclude a vent tube which, like the dip tube for the fluid cannula,provides sealed engagement with the vent cannula. The present inventionfurther contemplates that both the dip tube and the vent tube may dependfrom a planar substrate supported below the septum in the bottle.

The reagent bottle might be constructed mainly from polypropylene whichwould have compatibility with water/organic mixtures. Other materialscould be considered. Glass is also a possible material for the mainbottle body.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exploded view of a reagent bottle 5 definingan open container cavity 6 employing a container connector 10 of thepresent invention is shown. Container connector 10 includes a connectorcap 12 and a septum piercing unit 14 which cooperatively engage bottle5. Bottle 5 includes an annular neck 16 supporting a pierceableelastomeric septum 18 spanning across an open container aperture 20defined by neck 16. Septum is desirably formed from an elastomericmaterial which may be pierced by either a needle or cannula but willself-seal up removal of the needle or cannula for applications requiringthe contents within cavity 6 to remain after removal of the needle orcannula. Bottle 5 includes a concave bottom 9 facing cavity 6 so as toprovide a ‘low point’ within cavity 6 in which fluid will collect whenbottle 5 is upright.

With additional reference to FIGS. 2-4, connector cap 12 includes anannular cap body 22 having opposed first and second ends 24 and 26 andan elongate annular wall 28 extending therebetween. First end 24includes an inwardly-extending annular rim 25 which defines a firstaperture 30. Annular wall 28 includes an annular interior surface 32defining a cap cavity 34 in fluid communication with first aperture 30.Interior surface 32 is sized and shaped sized to engage the annular neck16 so that the cap can be moved from a first position with respect tothe neck to a second position with respect to the neck. Septum piercingunit 14 includes an elongate unit body 40 including longitudinallyopposed transversely-extending first and second end surfaces 42 and 44.The first and second end surfaces 42 and 44 support first cannula 46extending therefrom. First cannula 46 and unit body 40 define a firstand second fluid port, 50 and 52, respectively and an elongate fluidpassageway 54 extending in fluid communication between first and secondfluid ports 50 and 52. Unit body 40 is sized to span container aperture20 so that second end surface 44 is engaged by rim 25 such that unitbody 40 is urgeable by cap 12 from the first position, depicted in FIG.3, wherein the first cannula 46 is positioned in overlying registry withseptum 18, to the second position, depicted in FIG. 4, wherein secondcannula 46 has pierced septum 18.

Unit body 40 of said septum piercing unit 14 may be configured toinclude opposing first and second major surfaces 54 and 56,respectively, which extend in facing opposition to interior surface 32as container connector 10 is assembled. Septum piercing unit 14 mayfurther include an elongate hollow needle 60 extending through unit body40 thereof, where needle 60 includes a first end 62, a second end 64,and an elongate tubular body 66 extending therebetween. First end 62defines a first needle aperture 68, second end 64 defines a secondneedle aperture 70, and tubular body 66 defines an elongate needlepassageway 72 extending in fluid communication therebetween, such thatsaid first end 62 of needle 60 is first cannula 46 which pierces septum18. Second end 64 of needle 60 supports a connector 74 thereon, such asa female luer connector. As depicted in the example shown in FIG. 5,connector 74 engages a mating connector at one end of an elongateconduit 75 having an elongate tubular body defining an open conduitpassageway therethrough. Connector 74 is thus able to place the conduitpassageway in fluid communication with needle passageway 72. The presentinvention contemplates that conduit 75 may be connected to a synthesiscassette 100 as shown in FIG. 5, or to any source of a fluid to deliverto container 5.

While first cannula 46 is depicted as being the first end 62 of needle60, the present invention further contemplates that cannula 46 may beformed from as a unitary member with unit body 40. Additionally, firstcannula 46 may have either a sharp or blunt first end for piercingseptum 18. It is known that blunt cannulas may be designed to pierceseptums. As some embodiments of the present invention will not beconcerned with the integrity of septum 18 after fluid withdrawal fromcavity 6, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art howto thus select the design of cannula 46 for the particular application.

The present invention further contemplates that container connector 10further includes an elongate second cannula 48 projecting from unit body40. Second cannula 48 provides for piercing septum 18 for venting. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1-4, a vent needle 80 extending throughunit body 40 provides both the second cannula 48 as well as the ventpassageway through unit body 40. Vent needle 80 includes a first end 82,a second end 84, and an elongate tubular vent body 86 extendingtherebetween. First end 82 defines a first vent aperture 88, second end84 defines a second vent aperture 90, and tubular body 86 defines anelongate vent passageway 92 extending in fluid communicationtherebetween. The present invention contemplates that vent needle 80provides the second cannula 48. Desirably, vent body 86 supports aporous filtration media 94 across second aperture 90. Media 94 definesporous passageways 96 therethrough in fluid communication with ventpassageway 92 so as to limit the passage of contaminants therethroughbut still allows air to vent therethrough from container 5. As unit body40 is urgeable by cap 12 from the first position wherein the secondcannula 48 is positioned in overlying registry with septum 18, to thesecond position wherein second cannula 48 has pierced septum 18. Thepresent invention further contemplates that filtration media 94 may besupported within any housing such that the filter passageways 96 are insealed fluid communication with vent passageway 92. For example, asshown in FIG. 5, vent needle 80 may include provide a media housing 81suspended above cap 12 such that vent body 86 includes bend toaccommodate the particular geometry of housing 81 about other componentsor connections of container connector 10.

The present invention contemplates that cap 12 and neck 16 includemating helical threads 13 and 17, respectively, which guide movement ofthe cap between the first and second positions. Desirably, cap 12 andneck 16 further include cooperating detents for resisting movement ofcap 12 from the first position. Additionally, cap 12 and neck 16desirably include cooperating detents for resisting movement of cap 16from the second position.

Additionally still, septum piercing unit 14 engages neck 16 so as toprevent rotation of the septum piercing unit along its axis of travel ascap 16 is moved from the first to the second position. Towards thisgoal, that neck 16 may provide opposing guide slots 21 and 23 into whichopposing edges 41 and 43 of planar unit body 40 are received so as toallow the linear displacement towards septum 18, although any matingengagement between unit body 40 and neck 16 will be configured to allowsuch linear displacement. For example, should unit body 40 havesubstantially cylindrical shape, neck 16 could support one or moreinwardly-extending rails which are received in corresponding groovesformed in unit body 40.

The present invention further contemplates providing an elongate tubulardip tube 102 supported in bottle cavity 6 for use with containerconnector 10. Dip tube 102 includes a first end 104, an opposed secondend 106, and an elongate tubular dip tube body 108 extendingtherebetween. First end 104 defines a first dip tube aperture 110,second end of dip tube 102 defines a second dip tube aperture 112, anddip tube body 108 defines an elongate dip tube passageway 114 extendingin fluid communication therebetween. Desirably, second end 106 of diptube 102 is positioned adjacent septum 18 in underlying registry withthe first end 62 of needle 60. First end 104 of dip tube 102 extendstowards the bottom of cavity 6, desirably centered above the concavebottom 9. The present invention contemplates that when cap 12 is movedto the second position, first end 62 of needle 60 will be in fluid-tightengagement with first end 104 of dip tube 102, as that portion of septum18 about needle 60 will be compressed therebetween, while still placingdip tube passageway 114 in fluid communication with needle passageway72. In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, a diptube support member 120 positions second end 106 of dip tube 102adjacent to septum 18. Dip tube support member 120 spans containeraperture 20, and is desirably held in place between an annular containershoulder 7 and septum 18. Support member 120 includes an outer annularring 122 with a segment 124 extending to support second end 106 of diptube 102. Annular ring 122 is sized and shaped to rest on an annularshoulder 7 of container 5. Septum 18 sealingly engages interior surface32 while adjacent to or on rim 122 Support member 120 may be designed soas to hold second end 106 of dip tube either abutting against septum 18or slightly spaced thereabove. As the tip of needle 60 is pushed throughseptum 18 into dip tube 102, the material of septum 18 can serve as agasket between needle 60 and dip tube 102 so as to ensure fluid from toor from needle 60 all passes out of or in through dip tube 102 ataperture 110. The present invention further contemplates that annularring 122 of support member 120 may take other shapes such assubstantially planar or substantially conical where the second end 106of dip tube 120 opens therethrough.

Moreover, the present invention contemplates alternatively providing anelongate tubular vent tube 130 supported by support member 120 in bottlecavity 6. Vent tube 130 including a first end 132, an opposed second end134, and an elongate tubular vent tube body 136 extending therebetween.First end 132 defines a first vent tube aperture 138, second end 134defines a second vent tube aperture 140 and vent tube body 136 definesan elongate vent tube passageway 142 extending in fluid communicationtherebetween. As second end 134 is positioned adjacent septum 18 inunderlying registry with first end 82 of vent needle 80, vent tube 130is able to receive the first end of vent needle 80 as it is insertedthrough septum 18 upon movement of cap 12 to the second position. In thesecond position, passageway 92 is placed in fluid communication withvent tube passageway 142. Fluid delivered through needle 60 into cavity6 will cause the gas within cavity 6 to be pushed out through ventneedle passageway 92. Similarly, as fluid is withdrawn from cavity 6through dip tube 102 and needle 60, gas may be reintroduced into cavity6 through vent tube passageway 142.

As described, the provision of dip tube 102 and vent tube 130 allows fora fluid to be delivered into cavity 6 without requiring deep penetrationof needle 60 or vent needle 80 through septum 18. Additionally, ifneedle 60 and dip tube 102 sealingly-engage each other as described, thecontents of cavity 6 may also be withdrawn therefrom. The presentinvention thus provides for a container to which fluid may be deliveredand withdrawn, providing for the possibility of mixing a fluid to thecontents of the container, such as a reagent provided within cavity 6,so that the mixture may be withdrawn from the container.

The present invention further contemplates that both the dip tube andthe vent tube may be supported below the septum in the bottle. Withadditional reference to FIG. 6, support member 120 may then includesegment 126 inwardly extending from rim 122 to second end 134 of venttube 130. Again, it may be desirable to provide some clearance betweensecond aperture 140 and septum 18 so as to allow some deflection ofseptum 18 towards the first openings of the dip tube and vent tube asthe cannulas are urged through the septum.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention may alternatively include aremovable key 200 which prevents unintended movement of cap 12 andseptum piercing unit 14. Key 200 includes opposed deflecting tangs 201and 202 which define a neck receptacle 204 therebetween. Key 200includes a grip 205 for ease of pulling key 200 laterally away from neck16. Key 200 may be positioned such that neck 16 is received in neckreceptacle 204 with tangs 201 and 202 extending between cap 12 andbottle 5. Tangs 201 and 202 prevent cap 12 from being tightened down onneck 16 until key 200 is removed from about neck 16. Key 200 thusprevents unintended movement of cap 12 which could pre-maturely pierceseptum 18.

Further enhancements to the design could include the provision of somekind of rip off tab which would prevent accidental activation prior touse. This could be similar in design to those seen commonly on foodcontainers. There could also be some kind of locking mechanism wherebyonce the bottle has been activated, it cannot be un-activated. Thiscould be similar in operation to the mechanism commonly used on medicinebottles.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the present invention also contemplatesproviding a synthesis cassette 100 incorporating the container connector10 of the present invention. Cassette 100 is a version of a FASTlabsynthesis cassette, although the present invention contemplates that thepresent invention can be applied to the cassettes for othersynthesizers. Cassette 100 includes an elongate manifold 302 whichincorporates a number of actuation valves 301-325 which are connected toeither an activity inlet reservoir 330, syringe pumps 332, 334, 336,cartridges 340, 342, conduits 350 and 352 leading to a reaction chamber326, or conduits 354 and 356 leading to cartridges 340 and 342respectively. Valves 308, 309, 317 and 320 are capped so as to provideconnection to nothing. Manifold 300 is further connectable to a wastevial (not shown), a dispense vial (not shown), as well as to internalreagent vials (at valves 302, 312-314 and 316, not shown). The actualdesign of cassette 100 is not essential to the present invention, solong as it provides most or all of the fluid path used for the synthesisof a product fluid, such as a radiotracer for PET or SPECT imaging andso long as it provides for connection to a container connector 10 of thepresent invention. An active isotope is provided to an inlet reservoirat valve 306 and operation of the cassette may then direct it through asynthesis procedure. Valve 315 is connected to a source 360 of water forinjection. Manifold 300 further provides ports for connection to apneumatic system to further provide a motive force through manifold 300.

Using container connector 10, the cassette 100 may be shipped connectedto an external reagent bottle 5 having a neck 16, as describedhereinabove, which cooperatively engages the cap 12 of connector 10 andthe septum piercing unit 14. The present provides that cassette 100 maybe shipped with the connections made between reagent bottle 5 andcassette 100 with connector cap 12 in the first, inactivated, position.Key 200 is provided about neck 16 so as to prevent cap 12 frominadvertently causing unit body 40 from piercing septum 18.Alternatively, the present invention provides a kit of parts including acassette 100 and reagent vial 5 adapted to be connected to cassette 100by connector cap 10 and conduit 75. The kit of parts may be shipped in asterile package, such as a plastic bag, allowing the kit components tobe loaded into the sterile package in environmentally clean conditionswhere the container is then sealed so as to maintain the clean orsterile condition experienced by the kit components until the package isopened. It is contemplated that the package is opened in a cleanenvironment so that the kit components may be assembled and put to usewithout requiring further sterilization. Cassette 100 when assembled,may then be connected to an automated synthesizer, in the presentillustration a FASTlab synthesizer, as well as connected to a wastevial, a dispense vial, and optionally to an HPLC purification system(shown at valves 318 and 319). Cassette 100 may thus be operated toinclude a reagent included within vial 5 in the synthesis process itperforms. The actual synthesis process is not considered essential tothe instant invention, just the provision of an external reagent bottle5 which may be connected to manifold 300 either a time just prior tosynthesis or even just prior to packaging.

While the particular embodiment of the present invention has been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from theteachings of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoingdescription and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustrationonly and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention isintended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in theirproper perspective based on the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container connector for a container having anannular neck defining a container aperture and a pierceable septumspanning the container aperture, said container connector comprising: aconnector cap comprising an annular cap body having opposed first andsecond ends and an elongate annular wall extending therebetween, thefirst end defining a first aperture, the annular wall including anannular interior surface defining a cap cavity in fluid communicationwith the first aperture, the interior surface sized and shaped sized toengage the annular neck so that the cap can be moved from a firstposition with respect to the neck to a second position with respect tothe neck; and a septum piercing unit comprising an elongate unit bodyincluding longitudinally opposed transversely-extending first and secondend surfaces, said unit body supports a first cannula, respectively,extending therefrom, said first cannula and said unit body defining afirst and second fluid port respectively, wherein said unit body andsaid first cannula further define an elongate fluid passageway extendingin fluid communication between said first and second fluid ports;wherein said unit body is sized to span said container aperture suchthat said unit body is urgeable from said first position wherein saidsecond cannula is positioned in overlying registry with the septum, tosaid second position wherein said second cannula has pierced the septum,said unit body being urgeable between said first and second position bysaid cap.
 2. A container connector of claim 1, wherein said body of saidseptum piercing unit includes opposing first and second major surfaces.3. A container connector of claim 2, wherein said septum piercing unityfurther comprising an elongate needle extending through said bodythereof, said needle including a first end, a second end, and anelongate tubular body extending therebetween, said first end defining afirst needle aperture, said second end defining a second needleaperture, and said tubular body defining an elongate needle passagewayextending in fluid communication therebetween, wherein said first end ofsaid needle is the first cannula.
 4. A container connector of claim 3,wherein said second end of said needle supports a connector thereon forengaging an elongate conduit having an elongate tubular body defining anopen conduit passageway therethrough, said connector placing saidconduit passageway in fluid communication with said needle passageway.5. A container connector of claim 1, wherein said septum piercing unitbody is an elongate cylindrical member sized to be positioned in theneck cavity.
 6. A container connector of claim 1, wherein said unit bodyfurther supports a vent cannula, respectively, extending therefrom, saidvent cannula defining a first and second vent port respectively, whereinsaid unit body further defines an elongate vent passageway extending influid communication between said first and second vent ports, wherein insaid first position said second vent cannula is positioned in overlyingregistry with the septum, and in said second position said second ventcannula has pierced the septum.
 7. A container connector of claim 1,further comprising an elongate vent needle extending through said unitbody, said vent needle including a first end, a second end, and anelongate tubular vent body extending therebetween, said first enddefining a first vent needle aperture, said second end defining a secondvent needle aperture, and said tubular body defining an elongate ventneedle passageway extending in fluid communication therebetween, whereinsaid first end of said needle is the vent cannula.
 8. A containerconnector of claim 7, wherein said vent cannula supports a porousfiltration media, said media defining porous passageways therethrough influid communication with said vent passageway.
 9. A container connectorof claim 1 further comprising a removably connected key for preventingmovement of said cap from said first position to said second position.10. A container connector of claim 1, wherein said cap and the neckinclude mating helical threads so as guide movement of the cap from saidfirst to said second position.
 11. A container connector of claim 10,wherein said cap and the neck include cooperating detents for resistingmovement of the cap from the first position.
 12. A container connectorof claim 11, wherein said cap and the neck include cooperating detentsfor resisting movement of the cap from the second position.
 13. Acontainer connector of claim 1, wherein the septum piercing unit engagesthe neck so as to prevent rotation of the septum piercing unit along itsaxis of travel as the cap is moved from the first to the secondposition.
 14. A bottle comprising a neck configured to mate with acontainer connector of claim 1, said neck defining a bottle aperture,and including an annular shoulder to support said septum; said bottleincluding a bottle body defining a bottle cavity in fluid communicationwith said bottle aperture; an elongate tubular dip tube supported insaid bottle cavity, said dip tube including a first end, an opposedsecond end, and an elongate tubular dip tube body extendingtherebetween, said first end of said dip tube defining a first tubeaperture, said second end of said dip tube defining a second tubeaperture and said dip tube body defining an elongate dip tube passagewayextending in fluid communication therebetween; wherein said second endof said dip tube is positioned adjacent the septum in underlyingregistry with the first end of the needle, wherein in the secondposition, said first end of said needle will be in fluid-tightengagement with said first end of said dip tube so as to place said diptube passageway in fluid communication with said needle passageway. 15.A bottle of claim 14, further comprising dip tube support member holdingsaid first end of said dip tube adjacent to the septum of the bottle.16. A bottle of claim 15, further comprising an elongate tubular venttube supported in said bottle cavity, said vent tube including a firstend, an opposed second end, and an elongate tubular vent tube bodyextending therebetween, said first end of said vent tube defining afirst vent tube aperture, said second end of said vent tube defining asecond vent tube aperture and said vent tube body defining an elongatevent tube passageway extending in fluid communication therebetween;wherein said second end of said vent tube is positioned adjacent theseptum in underlying registry with the first end of the vent cannula,wherein in the second position, said first end of said vent cannula willbe in fluid-tight engagement with said second end of said vent tube soas to place said vent tube passageway in fluid communication with saidvent passageway.
 17. A bottle of claim 16, wherein said dip tube supportmember holds said first end of said vent tube adjacent to the septum ofthe bottle.
 18. A synthesis cassette comprising at least one containerconnector of claim
 1. 19. A kit comprising an automated synthesiscassette of claim 18 and a reagent container adapted to engage thecontainer connector.